Creek walk with cousins

Summertime means family time! We LOVED having the Weltys here for two days - if only it could have been longer. They are on a break from Texas for the summer and spent a couple of weeks in nearby Montreat, so twice they were able to come over for the day to hang out. The boys really hit it off with legos and good guy/bad guy games, and once again Lillian was adored by her younger cousins (Mattias followed her around and she was very patient and helpful with him).

Meanwhile Rachel was also here with us (on her own! party!) for 5 days. The boys were so, so excited to have her - and Timo barely stopped talking her ear off or asking, "Auntie, do you want to play with me?"

It doesn't take long to get to it with legos!

On Saturday we all trooped along Fisher's Creek (trail just on the edge of town). It was a bit cool and cloudy but still great to be on the trail and near (or in!) the water. I think this counts as Hawk's first hike.

this is Timo's new "explaining" posture

 

Cold!

Back home for the afternoon. The sisters got to go out together for coffee during naptime, while the Welty kids checked out the public library. And then it was time for smiles from Hawk and supper outside.

Time for a little Far Side before bedtime and good-byes

Visit from Mom and Dad G

We really appreciated and enjoyed having Dad and Mom G here earlier this month! Mom stayed for a week, and Dad joined for the weekend. Mom even had her birthday while here! Timo and Mattias loved having them - and it was fun to reminisce over last year's visit, which also coincided with Mom's birthday, and realize how much the boys have grown. And now another little brother to join the fray.

As soon as Granddad arrived, it was time to wrestle! Timo remarked, "He has some strong moves." Timo 'bothered' Granddad all weekend to play soccer or beach ball or basketball or tee ball or Legos or watch him ride his bike. It was non-stop action.

 We had a lovely morning for a stroll and picnic lunch on campus. Even baby Hawk cooperated (riding in the stroller) for his first time to visit Western. It was SO quiet without students around and none of the fast food or coffeeshops open.

 

 

Naturally, Nonna had some good snuggle time with Hawk during her stay. At four weeks old, he  likes to be held a lot (even for naps) but is starting to have longer periods of "happy, alert" time, like lying on a blanket on the playroom floor while Timo and Mattias make a ruckus with Legos.

How GREAT is this!! Granddaddy bought a soccer girl and size 3 soccer ball for the boys! Fits perfectly in our fenced side yard.

picnic lunch outside - and looking at Nonna's pictures

Time to eat lunch, Mattias!

So relaxed!

Outing to Darnell Farms

On a Saturday morning in late May, Jim took the older boys to a nearby farm for their Strawberry Festival. There was a plowing competition (non-mechanized); antique tractors; bouncy houses; kettle corn; dancing; pony rides; and a hay ride. And of course, local farm produce and strawberries!

First bath!

He was so calm and alert to the feel of the water.

We are looking forward to being able to give him baths again once all his casting is finished!

Brothers and Legos (of course)

Just for fun, all the brothers next to each other!

At a recent check-up (for WIC), Timo was 36 lbs, Mattias was 31 lbs, and Hawk - at 3 weeks old - was just under 7 lbs.  This photo was taken a few days before Hawk started his feet casting (and he's now on the third week of that process). This was also pre-haircuts, as you can see.

Such gentle kissing from the older ones!

Timo and Mattias have spent MANY, many hours with Lego Duplos in recent weeks. Naturally they get along great and create vast airports/cities/parking lots/electricity centers/water treatment facilities etc and then in the next moment they are yelling at each other and crashing everything down...

We have a photo of newborn Mattias in this outfit so I wanted to get one with Hawk, too - but he is so much smaller at 3 weeks!! Even though it may look it, his feet only came down to the leg/pant and didn't even come to the footholes! He's not much bigger than Gemma's doll.

 

And here is one of the main uses so far for baby Hawk's crib - Mattias's big parking lot (and a quiet, uninterrupted place for him to play by himself)! - since Hawk has been sleeping in a mini-crib in our bedroom so far.